BEIJING — Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua on Aug 27 called for solid efforts to fully implement the action plan on vitalizing the seed industry to ensure the country's food security and initiative in agriculture modernization.

Seeds are the source of agricultural production, and China has made significant progress in developing its seed industry in recent years, Hu said.

He noted, however, that the development foundation of the seed industry is still not solid. He said that it is urgent and necessary to promote the vitalization of the sector and ensure that China's germplasm resources are independent and controllable.

China would accelerate the cultivation of several superior species and continue to strengthen basic research and make breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, Hu said.

He also called for nurturing a batch of modern seed companies with competitiveness, increasing the steady supply of improved seed varieties, and improving the legal system for the seed market.